KARACHI, May 12, 2026: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), through its Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee, successfully hosted the ICAP CFO Conference 2026 in Karachi, bringing together leading finance professionals, policymakers, corporate executives, and thought leaders to discuss the rapidly evolving role of finance leadership in today’s challenging economic landscape.
Held under the theme “The New Playbook – Adapt, Innovate, Elevate,” the conference focused on strategic leadership, artificial intelligence, economic resilience, investment trends, and the future of finance in emerging economies.
In his opening remarks, ICAP President Samiullah Siddiqui emphasized that the role of Chief Financial Officers has evolved far beyond traditional financial management. He noted that modern CFOs are now expected to drive strategic growth, innovation, and organizational transformation amid economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and increasing stakeholder expectations.
A keynote address titled “From Volatility to Value: Strategic Leadership in Challenging Times” was delivered by Junaid Iqbal, Founder and CEO of Salt Ventures. He shared insights on navigating uncertainty, managing risk, and creating long-term value through resilient leadership and forward-thinking strategies.
One of the major highlights of the conference was a panel discussion on “Repricing Risk, Rediscovering Value: Pakistan’s Economic Outlook,” which examined critical economic issues including taxation complexities, liquidity constraints, policy fragmentation, and geopolitical volatility, while also identifying emerging investment opportunities in Pakistan.
The panel featured Ziad Bashir, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Business Council; Irfan Amanullah of Attock Cement Pakistan Ltd; and Farrukh H. Khan from Jazz. The session was moderated by Fawad Aftab.
The conference also explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in finance transformation through a presentation titled “AI in Action: How Pakistani CFOs Are Using AI for Growth and Resilience,” delivered by Saad Kaliya of A.F. Ferguson & Co..
An international perspective on finance leadership was shared by Dan Worsley from International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), who discussed strategies for building future-ready finance functions in emerging economies.
Leadership strategist Shade Zehrai delivered a session titled “Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt for Leadership Impact,” focusing on the psychological and human dimensions of effective leadership.
Investment and capital markets also remained a key focus during the conference through a panel discussion on “What Attracts Serious Capital in Today’s Landscape.” The discussion featured Farrukh Sabzwari of Pakistan Stock Exchange, Muhammad Asim from MCB Funds, and Muhammad Ali Ahmed of EFU Life Insurance.
Addressing the conference, PAIB Committee Chairman Muhammad Zaid Kaliya called upon finance leaders to mentor and empower the next generation of professionals in order to build stronger and more capable institutions.
Another panel discussion titled “Rewriting the Rules: Turning Uncertainty into Capability-Led Growth” highlighted the skills and leadership capabilities required to manage technological disruption and geopolitical risks. Participants included Badar Yousuf of National Foods Limited, Farhan Akram of Dawlance, Shireen Naqvi of School of Leadership, and Syed Tanveer Hussain from Meezan Bank.
The conference also featured an engaging wellness session, “Pause, Breathe, Laugh: Micro-Moments That Matter,” conducted by professional trainer Adeel Hashmi, focusing on mental resilience and workplace well-being.
A fireside chat titled “Why Pakistan?” highlighted the country’s growing potential as a global hub for business process outsourcing and shared services. The session featured Asif Peer of Systems Limited and Hasham Baber from GSK Pakistan.
The event also marked the fourth edition of the Professional Excellence Awards (PEA), recognizing outstanding achievements and leadership across multiple categories in finance, business, and corporate governance.
Awards were presented to leading professionals from organizations including Fatima Fertilizer, Power Cement Ltd, Sui Southern Gas Company, Hoechst Pakistan Ltd, Careem, Karandaaz, OGDCL, and Feroze 1888 Mills Ltd.
The awards ceremony was hosted by acclaimed actress Naveen Waqar and actor-host Ali Safina.
The ICAP CFO Conference 2026 concluded with a strong call for innovation, resilience, collaboration, and strategic leadership to help Pakistan’s corporate and financial sectors navigate future challenges and unlock sustainable growth opportunities.
